Music - Performance

Master of Music (M.M.)

Description

The Master of Music Degree in Performance is a 30-hour program with advanced study in instrumental, vocal, or keyboard performance, piano performance and pedagogy, or instrumental or choral conducting, culminating in a graduate recital. Instruction is provided by faculty members who are recognized as outstanding performers in a wide variety of performance areas. The Department of Music entrance examinations in music history, music theory, and ear training assist in planning each student’s exact course of study.

Curriculum

Curriculum and degree requirements can be found in the most current Graduate Bulletin.

Students seeking admission into the Master of Music Degree in Performance program must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the specific program requirements (see Graduate Bulletin).

All students seeking admission to the Arkansas State University Graduate Music Program must take the Department of Music entrance examinations in music history, music theory, music education (MME only) and ear training. This examination is generally administered during the week prior to the beginning of classes. The results of this examination assist in planning each student’s exact course of study. Contact the Graduate Program Supervisor for details. Click here for the Music Entrance Exam Study Guide. A grade of “A” or “B” must be achieved in any remedial coursework. Remedial coursework may not be counted as credit toward the degree. Arkansas State University graduates who begin graduate studies within eighteen months of graduation will not be required to take the entrance examination providing they received an “A” or “B” on all undergraduate music theory and history coursework.

Entrance Audition

Students seeking admission to the Master of Music in Performance with an emphasis in Instrumental or Vocal Performance must audition for the appropriate applied faculty member prior to initial enrollment. At the discretion of the applied faculty member a three to five member committee may be convened to hear the audition. The applied faculty member (or committee) will evaluate the performance and report the results to the Graduate Program Supervisor. All graduate instrumental and vocal performance students are required to perform a proficiency jury at the end of the first semester of applied study. Students will receive written comments from the jury panel.

Students seeking admission to the Master of Music in Performance with an emphasis in Instrumental or Choral Conducting must submit a video recording, video link, or DVD to the appropriate applied conducting faculty member prior to initial enrollment, or conduct two pieces in live audition. At the discretion of the applied faculty member, a three to five member committee may be convened to evaluate the video recording, video link, DVD, or live audition. Contents of the video recording, video link, or DVD should include two or more pieces of contrasting style with a total time of no less than eight minutes. The video should be a front view of the conductor, not the ensemble. The conducting faculty (or committee) will evaluate the video recording, video link, or DVD and report the results to the Graduate Program Supervisor.

Accreditations

Arkansas State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.